Friday, 26th September 2008 – Codemasters today announced the release dates for 4 new family entertainment titles under its partnership with Majesco Entertainment. The partnership has been realised this week (25th September 2008) with the launches of Wild Earth: African Safari (Wii™) and Blokus Portable Steambot Championship (PlayStation®Portable), and will be continued on 2nd October when Toy Shop Tycoon (Nintendo DS™) launches and, on the 9th October, with Nanostray 2 (Nintendo DS). For the ultimate in African experiences, safari fans and wildlife friends can download the new video for Wild Earth from www.codemasters.co.uk/wildearth.

Wild Earth: African Safari / Wii

In Wild Earth: African Safari, players assume the role of a photo-journalist on a journey to visually chronicle over 30 different wild animals inhabiting the Serengeti National Park. From aggressive packs of hyenas to massive rhinos, the beautifully re-created panorama of the African veldt unfolds as players attempt to capture the shots to create informative magazine quality pictorials. But be warned; get too close to the animals or disrupt the natural landscape and the Impact Meter will rumble your Wii Remote, making it harder to snap a steady picture.

“Wild Earth: African Safari brings the great wilds of the African Serengeti to your living room and offers players a chance to get up close and personal with the animals in the comfort of your own home,” said John Merchant, Marketing Manager, Majesco Europe. “With exclusive new features found only in the Wii version, Wild Earth: African Safari lets people learn about and experience one of nature’s most complex and diverse habitats, without the fear of being eaten by a lion.”

Two new features exclusive to the Wii version include a cooperative multiplayer mode that allows up to three friends to either drive or take pictures, and a Safari Mini-Game mode where gamers can play from the animals’ perspective using intuitive gestures via the Wii Remote. In addition, an inspiring soundtrack from world music label, Talking Drum Records, lends an atmospheric backdrop to the game. The game is developed by Super X Studios. 

Tips on how to become the best wildlife photographer can be found by watching the new Wild Earth video on www.codemasters.com/wildearth.

Nanostray 2 / Nintendo DS

Developed by Shin’en, Nanostray 2 is the sequel to the acclaimed and first 3D shoot-em-up that launched for the handheld system in 2006. The original Nanostray delivered thrilling nonstop action that hearkened back to classic arcade shooters. Nanostray 2 builds upon that foundation with new game modes, control options and wireless connectivity.

A top-down, sci-fi shooter, Nanostray 2 features six game modes, including two-player co-op, two-player vs, Challenge (with 30+ different missions) and the brand new Simulator (go high-score hunting in four futuristic games). With both horizontal and vertical viewpoints that offer more variety between levels, Nanostray 2 also includes multiple control schemes and configurable weapons that are a necessity to defeat the game’s 16 formidable bosses. In addition, players can upload their scores via Nintendo’s Wi-Fi Connection so they can see how they rank against the best on www.nanostray2.com.

www.codemasters.com/nanostray2

Blokus Portable Steambot Championship / PSP

Developed by IREM, Blokus Portable is based on the world-renowned Blokus board game that has earned 26 prestigious toy awards and ranks among the best of 2007 board games lists. This fan and critic favourite now blends its outstanding strategic gameplay with the anime characters from the Steambot Chronicles series to create a unique portable title.

Based on the same basic rules and intuitive gameplay that made the board game a success, Blokus Portable allows up to 16 people to play in ad hoc wireless mode, or up to three friends to play simultaneously using one Universal Media Disc (UMD™) in the ad hoc game sharing mode. Blokus Portable combines the original 4-player Blokus plus the 2-player Blokus Travel/Duo, while letting players customize their own character and unlock 18 additional characters from the Steambot Chronicles series.

www.codemasters.co.uk/blokus

Toy Shop Tycoon / Nintendo DS

Launching on 2nd October 2008 and developed by GAMEINVEST, Toy Shop Tycoon is an exciting new simulation for the Nintendo DS in which players can turn the fledgling family toy store into a toy business empire. Toy Shop Tycoon encourages entrepreneurship and creativity by putting players at the helm of a struggling toy shop where they’ll need to create fun toys that sell while managing store inventory, customers and budget.

Combining creative toy-making with overall store management, Toy Shop Tycoon gives players insight into the challenging, rewarding, business of fun. In Toy Shop, players can choose their style of play—whether it’s assuming full control of all aspects of the family toy business or just making toys to sell in the store. As the business grows, seasonal holidays will attract new customers that will in turn help the business grow and unlock additional store locations. Shop owners can create more than 30 toys for the store, including teddy bears, action figures and board games, and a tutorial helps future entrepreneurs learn the ropes of the business.

www.codemasters.co.uk/toyshoptycoon